Home Improvement Project & Ideas to Remodel Homes | Increase Resale Value of Home

Remodel and Improve Your Homes, Increase Resale Value - Get Buyers Scramble to Buy Your Home

Home is an Asset

Home improvement projects to remodel your home if done sensibly can attract a wider range of potential buyers, as it increases its resale value. Each repair or home improvement project undertaken has a direct bearing on its resale value. If the increase in resale value is marginal or negligible it is not worthwhile to spend money and undertake those repairs.

For most of us home is a place to be in when we are not at work. This perception should change. Home is actually an asset. And asset should always grow in value with time. You may not want to sell your house right away, but it sure makes economic sense to have its resale value jiving upwards with time.

Essential repairs to defects to restore strength and arrest deterioration is mandatory and we are not talking of that. We are dealing with repairs and alterations that transform the home in a major way so that the intrinsic value of the home increases.

First Look
Resale value is reflected on both sides of the home - inside and outside. That is one factor to be taken into consideration before investing into home improvement project. The outside of your home is like the cover of a book. A well landscaped garden and neatly trimmed lawn makes the first impression on potential buyers.

Let us now see some smart ways to increase resale value of homes.

Smart Ways to Increase Resale Value
There are some simple but smart ways to increase the resale value of your home without the budget going through the roof.

1. Landscape Outside
   
   The first thing that home owners need to do to increase the resale value of their homes is to beautify the facade/outside of their homes. Home improvements such as landscaping your front lawn, adding some plants and shrubs in your yard, and cleaning up the exterior of your home do not cost a lot of money but can make a huge difference to the way your home is perceived by buyers. Also if you have a patio do get it repaired and in shape.
2. Repainting exterior
   
   Treat your walls to a color makeover using advanced technology paint and new painting techniques.A textured paint technique such as rag rolling, dragging (a technique that creates a streaked effect) or marbleizing (involves applying layers of tinted glazes over a base coat of paint to produce a marble-like finish) gives plenty of pleasant options for the exterior of the home. Not only are these painting techniques easier to apply but also the home improvement stores have all the supplies you will need and experts who can offer guidance.
3. Kitchen and Bathroom
   The main rooms of a home that buyers pay close attention to are the bathrooms and the kitchen. These areas demand the bulk of your home improvement budget. Adding new appliances to the kitchen and doing up the bathroom can add to the resale value of your home in a big way. Let us look up these two areas in a little detail:
   1. Remodeling Kitchen
      
      The kitchen is the heart and pulse of the home. A warm paint job and new backsplash will improve the kitchen's appeal. A roomy kitchen will be attractive to families of any size so consider resizing.

      Indirect lighting mounted under the cupboards is an elegant touch. Equip kitchens with up-to-date appliances. White appliances are a better in finishes than black or stainless steel. While black and stainless-steel finishes are attractive, they also easily show fingerprints and smudges. Solid wood kitchen cabinets also typically prove to be a good investment.

      Appliances and cabinets are typically the most expensive items to replace in a kitchen. Get rid of dated and beat-up cabinets and get new. Or you can consider resurfacing in case you do not want to buy new.

      Pay attention to counter tops, sinks & faucets. Granite counters are not necessary. Simple laminates, newer faucets and sparkling sinks that are not leaky or stained go well.

   2. Bathroom remodeling
      
      
      

      Buy expensive-looking hardware for taps and showers and get a sophisticated new look without cleaning out your wallet. Like in the kitchen, soft lighting and warm colors here can go a long way in increasing home value. Add vases and plants as design elements and make sure vanity mirrors are at an accessible height for every member of the family. Know that homes with at least two bathrooms typically have better resale value. If your home has only one bathroom, consider adding a second one. Again, avoid trendy colors when selecting sinks, tubs and toilets. Stick with white or off white.

   3. Flooring
      The emphasis with flooring is on quality. Solid wood flooring is always striking. But some interesting options, that are still high quality, are floor coverings using other natural fibers such as seagrass, jute, wool, sisal or coir (a fiber derived from coconut shells). Consider that hardwood floors in mid- and light-colored tones typically are appealing. Even though plenty of laminate flooring resembling wood is available and is considered to be durable, real hardwood flooring will deliver a better return on your investment.
4. Garage and Driveway

   Making a garage with a neat driveway does not cost too much but it will add immensely to the resale value of your home.

5. Fireplace and Laundry
   Having a fireplace gives a touch of regal elegance to the entire home. Bringing the laundry room up from the basement also adds to the resale value.
6. Front door
   In the midst of frenzy to get the home to look sparkling we often tend to overlook the main front door of the home. Front door is like the first chapter of a book. It better be good and captivating.
7. Doing Up Interiors
   Interiors require plenty of attention to detail. Here are some points that need to be taken care of:

   

8. Ceiling,Outdated Light Fixtures
   It will surprise you but buyers spend more time than you would think staring at ceilings. They are looking for signs of a leaky roof, but what you don't want them to see are stains from grease or smoke and ceiling cracks. Same for walls. Nothing says freshness like new paint, and it's the most cost effective improvement. Use fiberglass tape on large cracks, cover with joint compound and sand. Paint a neutral color such as light tan - think of coffee with cream. Replace and repair outdated light fixtures.

   
   Here are some important Home Improvement Don’ts which will save time, money and efforts:

   1. New windows do not add much to the resale value of your home, regardless of how good they look or how energy efficient they make your home. Don’t spend money on window remodeling unless they are literally falling apart or busted up. Clean them up and make sure they are well-oiled instead.
   2. Swimming pools may be the ultimate luxury but if you’re thinking of adding one to increase the resale value of your home, don’t bother. It is too costly and does not offer effective ROI(return on investment).
   3. Central air conditioning is also very comfortable, but this home improvement does not recover its value.
   4. Laying new floors such as marble, wooden floors is another home remodeling project that will not get you more money on a sale.
   5. Luxuries such as a tennis court will make your home more high end but will not increase its value more than what you spend on the remodeling.

   
   For those who have a bigger pockets here are some fabulous ideas for addition to your present home to skyrocket your resale value of your city or country side homes :

   • Have three or more bedrooms and at least two washrooms
   • Deep-soaker or Jacuzzi bathtubs
   • Walk-in closets
   • Garage with a driveway
   • Both an eat-in kitchen and a dining room
   • A small yard or large deck
   • A fireplace
   • A separate basement apartment that can be rented out if necessary
   • Special features - spiral staircase, crown molding, wood or marble flooring, arched doorways French doors or windows
   • A swimming pool or tennis court
   • Manicured lawns
   • A deck or patio
   • Home Sauna
   • A stunning view with large well-landscaped front.

By implementing these home improvement project & ideas you will not only get a new remodeled home but you will get an instant increase in resale value of home.



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